Mikhail Burla: "There is no threat on the part of Pridnestrovie"

The parliamentary newspaper of Ukraine published a decree of Peter Poroshenko, which denounces a number of previously concluded agreements with Russia. They are already in force. Among them there is a document regulating the procedure for the transit of Russian peacekeepers in Pridnestrovie. The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Mikhail Burla told "Russia 24" how they see the situation in Tiraspol.

Newscaster: Mikhail Porfirovich, how do you evaluate the decision of the Ukrainian authorities, and what consequences this may cause?

Mikhail Burla: The peacekeeping operation on the banks of the Dniester continues, and it is one of the most effective. This operation has enabled us for more than 20 years of living in piece on one bank, and on the other side. Thanks to it, thanks to the Russian military the population and economic agents have the opportunity to develop normally. Military contingent of Russian troops in Pridnestrovie are running a mission of preserving peace and strengthening security. The mission of peacekeeping is retaliatory deterrent of the conflict initiating. Therefore, we estimate negatively the decision of denunciation of the Ukrainian-Russian agreement on transit. The lack of normal supply of the peacekeeping forces and a limited contingent of Russian troops can affect the performance of their functions. Especially it concerns peacekeeping forces.

At the same time I see that Pridnestrovie in some elementary things can supply the Russian military, uniform in particular. There are a lot of light industry enterprises in Pridnestrovie that can sew military uniforms, shoes, etc. Of course, supply of food. But we will not be able to provide peacekeeping forces with equipment.

Newscaster: I understand that we are talking about the military? Are there any alternative ways of delivery?

Mikhail Burla: There is alternative, 200 thousand residents living on the territory of Pridnestrovie out of 500 thousand have Russian citizenship. I think that we can find a format for Russian citizens to become members of the peacekeeping force.

Newscaster: As far as I know, there is a military airdrome in Tiraspol. Can it be adapted to the delivery of goods?

Mikhail Burla: There is an airdrome, but it does not solve the problem. It is necessary to obtain the relevant air corridors for transportation of various goods by air. Presence of the airdrome gives the technical possibility of receiving the goods themselves, but certain agreements must be for the relevant air corridors.

Newscaster: Ukrainian military said today that they are going to install anti-aircraft S-300 on the border with Pridnestrovie. Do you think such a scenario is possible and when they are able to apply?

Mikhail Burla: I do not see against what, because S-300 - is air defence. By the way, at the time I was working on the S-200, they are well known to me. But I do not think that Pridnestrovie is a source of objectives that may be potential for S-300, there is no threat on the part of Pridnestrovie. There is no aircraft in Pridnestrovie. Once, it had fighter aircraft in the Soviet era. But it has long been nonexistent.

Newscaster: As far as I understand that this can be used, if the supply of equipment and weapons for the Russian peacekeepers in Pridnestrovie will be organized with the help of air lines?

Mikhail Burla: We must direct all our efforts not at S-300 installation, not to certain restrictions, but to negotiation. Dialogue is necessary in order to completely exclude the possibility of any conflict. The armed conflict in 1992 is instructive not only for us, but I think, for many regions, from several points of view. Firstly, in order to prevent the occurrence of such conflicts, the interests of the regions should be accommodated. It is an axiom that cannot be even discussed. Secondly, it is virtually impossible to solve the very essence of the conflict with the help of weapons. As a result of the 1992 conflict the views and positions of sides on certain issues have not been changed.

It has been 23 years since the acute phase of the conflict in Pridnestrovie, but the problem is still not resolved in full. They are, in principle, cannot be solved by force.

Newscaster: Do you think that the heavy-handed approach is possible? Is Kiev ready to provoke something like that?

Mikhail Burla: We will do as much as possible, everything possible so as not to yield to any provocation. It's not in our interests, not in the interests of Moldova, not in the interests of Ukraine itself. 200 thousand living on the territory of Pridnestrovie are Russian citizens and 100 thousand citizens of Ukraine. Ukraine as a country that took them in citizenship should protect them. I do not think that we need a conflict, though theoretically it is possible. But I repeat again such conflicts are not able to solve the problem of the conflicting parties.

Newscaster: There are quite large military warehouses with old ammunition on the territory of the Republic. How to ensure their safety, if there is a threat?

Mikhail Burla: Their safety and security are provided. Limited contingent of Russian troops are responsible for security, they provide adequate protection for these objects. I hope that there will be no provocations, sabotage or factors that lead to some explosions, etc. Let us hope that these arsenals will remain irrelevant and unnecessary.

Newscaster: Mikhail Saakashvili recently was appointed as the governor of the Odessa region, which borders with Pridnestrovie. He declared that he was going to fight against smuggling, etc. Many see this as a prerequisite for the economic blockade of the republic. What do you think about this?

Mikhail Burla: Our republic is accused of smuggling for many years, since its creation, long before the arrival of Mikhail Saakashvili to the neighboring Odessa region. There is an entire surveillance system around Pridnestrovian Republic. It is called the EUBAM. For many years, European observers are monitoring associated with the movement of goods, people, etc. across the border of Pridnestrovie. There was not revealed any facts of smuggling during this time. There are certain small as at any border violations. But this has nothing to do with the unreasonable, for many years, accusation that Pridnestrovie, supposedly - a "black hole", it is the arms trade, drug trafficking, etc. Please notice that monitoring mission EUBAM – not from Ukrainian, Moldova not Pridnestrovian. It is European. There is no, systematic violations of the customs legislation of Ukraine, Moldova, Pridnestrovie in sight, but everyone is talking about it more than smuggling actually exists.

Because of our non-recognition we have to use some scheme of movement of goods, which may not always be applied in recognized country. There are schemes by means of offshore companies. Since the whole world recognizes the offshore companies, we do not suppose that this is the kind of smuggling. The fact that foreign banks, except for Russian banks, do not recognize our banking system and do not open correspondent accounts for our banks. Please, we are ready! Open a bank account in Germany, France, Ukraine, Moldova, etc., and we will carry out all the calculations openly.

Newscaster: If Ukraine further tighten the blockade, how heavy blow will it be?

Mikhail Burla: It will be really hard for Pridnestrovie. Ukraine is the country through which the transit of goods almost all foreign trade, with the exception of small amount, through Moldova and Europe, or those which are exported directly to Moldova. It is about 40-50-60% of the foreign trade in Pridnestrovie.

Certainly, it is very important for us that mainline natural gas pipeline passes through Ukraine. Our energy, our economy, our energy security is based on gas produced from Russia via Ukraine. This blockage can lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, but will not solve the problem. The main thing - it's self-determination of the people. The Republic was created by the people, is the people's. It was not created by some kind of the highest ranks, some of the political elite; it was really created from the bottom, the entire population of Pridnestrovie. This was also confirmed by a referendum in 2006. 97% participated in it voted for independence and independent development of the republic. The only tool solutions to our problems are in talks with Chisinau and Ukraine in the "5 + 2" format. By the way, Ukraine has still not lost its status of country guarantor. Russia is a country guarantor and Ukraine.

Newscaster: It turns out that recent decisions put an end to its obligations.

Mikhail Burla: To some extent, yes.

Newscaster: Mikhail Porfirovich, I thank you for your comment.